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Revision as of 21:13, 16 August 2004 by QuartierLatin1968 (talk | contribs) (better Danish link)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)In Goidelic mythology, and especially Scotland, Brian was a bumbling fool who helped Cailleach rescue Dia Griene. He was a son of Tuirenn, and brother to Iuchar and Iucharba (these have many variant spellings). The name Brian is of Celtic origin, and it means "strong".
In Irish mythology, the sons of Tuirenn murdered Cian, the father of Lugh, one of the greatest of the Tuatha Dé Danann. They also dismembered his body and tried to cover up their crime. In recompense, Lugh made them quest all around the known world as far as Persia fetching magical weapons, which Lugh planned to use at the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh. They succeed in obtaining all that Lugh demands, but return to Ireland desperately injured, pleading for Lugh to heal them; but the latter refuses. In at least one version of this tale, Brian is actually the clever and subtle one, while his brothers Iuchar and Iucharba are bumbling and easily overawed by Brian. This tale of the Sons of Tuirenn has sometimes been likened to an Irish Argonautica.
'Brian' is also the name of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, who was victorious over the Danes at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 CE.
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